Our 2010 Gala Holiday Drawing!

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One watch that according to my knowledge not exist is a Pilot's watch, yes Piltot's not Big Pilot's, with a a full inhouse Pellaton winding movement.

According to my view, such a watch offering the market a legandary IWC invention based movement in a versatile sized watch picking up the strong "flieger" tradition would be a great revenue generator. Pricing would of course be in between the pricing for the Pilot's and the Big pilot's.

This better be good; calling it the "Blümlein" makes that mandatory" said Herr Kern.

"Yes Sir. This watch I'm proposing is much like when Herr Blümlein saved IWC in the seventies, in that there is something coming back to life, but bigger and better" I answered nervously.

"Well, let's see it" said Herr Kern.

I clicked open the computer window, and there was my dream. Oh, it would cost plenty- it would not be for the ordinary collector, but then neither was Herr Blümlein 'ordinary'.

The case would be only available in platinum.The movement; entirely new, in-house calibre.

And the complications: Everything ever put into an IWC, the Il Destriero Scafusia, and then some! Added would be the age of the moon and a map of the celestial sky. And it would not only have a minute repeater, but a grande and petite sonnerie.

As I progressed through the windows, Herr Kern suddenly stood up.

"Let's go have a nice glass of wine, while we decide just how many of these are going to be made!

My vote would go to a pilot, a big pilot, which would also fit nicely as an addition the vintage collection.A 47mm b-uhren in steel with a 98 manual caliber, antimagnetic, solid case back with a nice engraving (possibly the watch reference number as "FL.xxxx"), no power reserve sub-dial, all numbers present just like the original (except for the triangle/dots at 12) and seconde centrale. I would add a GMT function to it as well (a dual hour hand).

I would also follow up with a ceramic limited edition with a titanium crown and deployant and perhaps some patina on the numeral/indices for enhanced vintage appeal.

973 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 22, 2001Evanston, IL,
United States

A highly-complicated, mechanical wristwatch will only be a top seller -- as defined by maximum profitability to IWC -- if it is classically designed and is delivered at a price point significantly below comparable models from other brands. The market for such watches is relatively thin and reducing the price would obviously undermine IWC's profitability. The other trick is determining which complication(s) is most attractive. On the other hand, it is difficult to differentiate a basic watch like the Mark XVI which, if offered at an attractive price point, has a lot of competition.

Accordingly, having studied the foregoing conundrum in detail, while looking at market leaders like Rolex, I propose that IWC create a classic watch with an IWC manufactured movement with just a single complication -- the annual calendar. That complication will be simple in design and engineered into the design of the base movement itself. Ease of manufacture and service will be a top priority and it is expected that these can ultimately be produced for approximately the same cost as the current 8011x calibres. The overall design will be in the Pilot's Watches family and it will be robust and attractive watch that is easily dressed up or dressed down. Accordingly, it will have a great bracelet (a slightly tweaked version of current AT bracelets) with a dial that is a blend of the old Spitfire and Mark XV lines. Raised numerals at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 locations with raised rectangular markers for other hours. Will offer silvered dials with raised gold or blue numerals / markers, and black dials with raised white numerals. Diameter of the watch will be 40 mm so that it will be timeless and attractive to all.

I'd like to see a chrono pilot watch with UTC and Alarm!If it's technical possible a double chrono is the best.Folding clasp on a black leather strap would definitely do it for me.Please accept my order for one!

Michael, what a grand wave of design ideas, your well thought out competition, has generated!

If IWC's design department can materialize just some of the ideas we see in the postings here, not only will my wife be getting her first ever contemporary IWC , but I'd be obliged to dig deep, sell some of the watches in my collection, to fork out on these new fine watches - if they ever materialize.

Keep the posts coming Gents - and Nicki if you are out there, lets hear a Ladies take on this - even if the drawing is closed, it's interesting to read the suggestions.